This is looking like the most likely scenario -- not certain, just most probable -- now that Sonny Bill Williams is in the New Zealand team.

England will have to play at its best to avoid this scenario, and even its best may not be enough.

Does Sonny Bill Williams' presence in the New Zealand team make this clash more attractive for you?

He has been erratic all season in the NRL so no need to poop trousers
Why would 60000 tickets already be sold if folk weren't intending to show?
I can see sold out signs going up straight after the Cons are despatched after Cardiff

Yes. Already have my ticket which I have had since February

Silly question if already have a ticket. Biggest game in this country for at least 13 years. Would love england to be in it but if its Aus v NZ (or whoever if a massive shock happens) I will still enjoy the experiance of being at a World Cup final

Ticket already bought but yes, the NZ v Aus semi in 95 was a great game, the sides are a lot more evenly matched this time round.

Having coughed up for a ticket and a space in one of Man U's secure stewarded car parks the only things that would stop me going would be illness and flooding blocking the roads between mid-Wales and Manchester (not such a remote possibility as you might think!).

think any RL fan would want to attend a world cup final regardless who was in it.....might even wear my "Beany Hat" that I received last December when i ordered the tickets for the final, semis and opening double header.

since then I have bought tickets each month when money available for another 9 games as well....

How has been erratic? He has been a model of consistency. His form has bordered on ridiculous for a lot of the season.

Already got my ticket. £60 seat for £30 me by plenty.

NZs test record with SBW in the side is very poor, NZs test record in the UK is very poor. I see no reason why England aren't second favourites for the tournament as it stands.

Only bought my tickets yesterday so I shall be attending regardless, I hope England get there but it should be a cracker anyway. I hope it's well attended.

If I was still living in the UK, absolutely yes. Still remember the 2000 final at Old Trafford. Richie Barnett Snr played fullback for NZ and was a class above IMO. Couldn't believe it when he signed for Hull a couple of years later.

Why would anyone buy a ticket to see SBW? Whether he plays or not, the attendance will still be the same - he's not what you think he is, to turn an attendance of c. 20k into 30k+

I won't be attending if England reach the final.

I wan't to see a competitive final where the result is in doubt.

That can only be the case if it's an Australia V New Zealand final.

This thread has taught us two things. One, Jean has a huge man crush on SBW and two, that William has jumped the shark and his best days are behind him